A Florida man turned a simple fast food order into one of the most bizarre crimes ever recorded at a restaurant. Joshua James shocked workers at a Palm Beach County Wendy’s when he threw a live alligator through the drive-thru window after getting his drink order.
The incident happened on October 11, 2015, at around 1:20 a.m. at a Wendy’s location in Loxahatchee. James had pulled up to the drive-thru in his white pickup truck to order a large soft drink. When the employee handed him his beverage, he reached into his truck and tossed the 3.5-foot alligator through the window before speeding away.
The terrifying moment left the Wendy’s cashier so scared that she jumped out of the drive-thru window. According to Fox News, she later told the court that she was frightened enough to consider quitting her job after the incident. Instead of paying for his drink like a normal customer, James decided to throw a live reptile at the frightened employee, creating what would become one of the most talked-about Florida Man stories ever.
Florida man finally caught months later through video evidence
Police were able to track down James through surveillance footage and a credit card purchase he made at a nearby 7-Eleven gas station. Wildlife officer Nicholas Guerin wrote in his report that James admitted to the crime during a December interview. James told investigators that he had found the alligator on the side of the road and put it in his truck.
James was arrested in February 2016 by U.S. Marshals and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, unlawful possession of an alligator, and petty theft. The 24-year-old from Jupiter faced up to five years in prison for the felony charge alone. During his court appearance, Judge Joseph Marx set his bail at $6,000 and ordered him to stay away from all Wendy’s restaurants and avoid possessing any animals except his family dog.
Joshua James, 24, was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill after Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation officials say he threw a 3.5-foot alligator through a Palm Beach County Wendy's drive-thru window.
— Fuhgeddaboudit News (@FuhgedNews) May 29, 2025
I thought that was Kid Rock.pic.twitter.com/MsIrIMFN8W
The alligator survived the ordeal unharmed. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers captured it at the restaurant, taped its mouth shut, and released it back into a nearby canal. James later claimed the incident was meant as a prank for a friend who worked at the restaurant, though his friend was not working that night. His parents defended him, saying he was not a violent person and that the whole thing was just a misguided joke.
In May 2016, James pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of assault and unlawful possession of an alligator. Palm Beach County Judge Barry Cohen called it one of the most bizarre cases in his 25 years on the bench. The judge sentenced James to one year of probation, 75 hours of community service, and $1,200 in fines and court costs. James was also banned from all Wendy’s locations and prohibited from owning any animals except his mother’s dog.
The case became part of internet culture as another example of the strange headlines that make “Florida Man” famous worldwide. David Hitzig from the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary testified in court about how dangerous the situation could have been. He explained that even a small alligator under four feet long would still be “very powerful” with extremely strong jaws. Despite James’ apology and claims of remorse, the judge made it clear that such behavior was not a harmless prank but a serious crime that could have resulted in severe injuries.
